Stripping Fur on your Springer Spaniel

Owning a Springer Spaniel has taught me the basics of stripping fur. Some spaniel owners prefer to clip their spaniels, but I have always found that stripping George's fur gives his coat much more lustre. This is my guide on how to clip your spaniel for maintenance, although I would like to point out that this is not for grooming to show standard.

I have been recommended to use a tool, like the one pictured on the right, for this, but you could just as easily use rubber gloves. Either way you need something to grip the fur.

Once you have the area of your dog's fur where there is dead or thinning hair, grip the fur between you thumb and forefinger using the tool or gloves for grip and pull out sharply, just like plucking. It won't hurt your springer and if you start using this routine from when they are a pup they will get used to it very quickly.

So why would you consider stripping over clipping?

Well clipping a springer's fur can make it very thick and coarse, so, if you have a springer with a soft fine coat, I would advise against clipping as the coat may not grow back the same. Clipping though tends to be easier than stripping.

I strip George because he has the most beautiful coat I have ever seen on a springer. In addition, I avoid clipping him, as his coat is extremely waterproof and I want to avoid anything which may alter this, as George just loves to swim!

However you need to decide what is right for you and your Springer. Either clipping or stripping can be viable options.